Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV

In the 1990s, a new creator emerges at Nickelodeon, showrunner Dan Schneider, who brings laughter and mentorship to kids' TV. He champions young talent like Amanda Bynes, but behind the scenes, some female writers face a toxic and sexist environment.

Dan Schneider’s relationship with his star Amanda Bynes hits a breaking point as new child actors confront uncomfortable scenes and power dynamics until they face a startling revelation that two of their crew members prey on kids they met on set.

A former child star reveals how he survived abuse at the hands of his acting coach. The harrowing account traces how he met his abuser on set, the ways this coach upended the child’s family and the challenges faced when the actor sought out police.

An abuser goes to jail but gets support from big names in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Dan Schneider’s power at the network grows, raising questions about the content and his treatment of the cast and crew. Eventually, tensions boil over.

Former Nickelodeon stars from the early 2000s join host Soledad O’Brien to share their reactions to the premiere of the “Quiet on Set” docuseries.